Is a mechanical treadmill as good as a motorised one?

Q:Though walking is good, but if due to winter or otherwise it is not possible,can treadmill be used as an exercise option? If so, is manual treadmill permitted instead of a motorised one (which is more expensive) and what should be the duration, speed etc.

A:The treadmill is an excellent option for walking and has the benefits of variations that you might not find in the outdoors. Firstly it works just as well when you cannot access the outdoors for reasons like the cold or pollution. Secondly, you can time your walk, use the motorised treadmill to increase your pace and keep a tab on the exact number of kilometres/miles you have walked. What it cannot do, however, is give you the EXACT caloric loss (unless you have one where you can enter your weight).
Having said that, the non-mototrised treadmill, though cheaper, does have as good benefits as the motorised one, without the above variations. I would recommend the one which is on a flat bed rather than on rollers. There are models that also have variations in the incline of the treadmill.The duration and speed would depend on your present fitness level and your goal. For fitness benefits, even a small 10-20 minute walk on it can make a difference, but if you are looking to lose weight, you may want to spend more time on it. As long as you are comfortable on it and can slowly increase the speed over time, you are doing well and benefiting from the exercise you are getting.